Fun Franklin Fact

Fire Phones “manned” by Women!

Beginning in 1938, the fire phones which called the men to emergencies were handled by wives of the volunteer firemen.  Martha Henry used to go outdoors to blow the siren on cold nights in her nightshirt.  Edythe Jones, wife of William Jones, the postmaster, handled the calls in 1941 followed by Wanda Fraser of the Food Store. Later Betsy Foote and Phyllis Young responded to emergency calls over monitors kept in the homes of volunteers.

Women would always go to the fire.  They would show up with coats over their robes and someone would always bring coffee.  A few times they even hauled hoses with the men!